A Lake Erie Fishing Trip From the Inn

Lake Erie’s central basin is the walleye capital of the world, and the boats leave about ten minutes from the inn. Fish in the morning, come back for dinner, sleep upstairs.

What is running

Walleye and perch through the warm months, smallmouth bass off the reefs, and steelhead in the tributaries from October. The Grand River is Ohio’s largest Lake Erie tributary and the best float in Steelhead Alley; the Ashtabula clears first after rain and takes less pressure.

Charters near the estate

DB Sportfishing Charters: Captain Dale Boughner, (440) 466-3474, dbsportfishing.com. More than thirty years on this water, and trips set up around what you actually want to catch.

Erie Quest Charters: Captain Rick Klevickas, (419) 984-7355, eriequest.com. Walleye and smallmouth bass.

Prime Time Fishing Charters: Captain Gary Zart, (216) 387-2656, primetimecharters.com. Walleye and perch.

Sara J Charters: Captain Aaron Fedor, (440) 466-1515, sarajcharters.com. Fishing charters and sunset cruises, and a good option for a group.

Book directly with the captain; availability and pricing change through the season. You will need an Ohio fishing licence, which you can buy online before you travel.

Before you sail

Charters leave long before the kitchen usually opens. Tell us the night before and we will sort out coffee and something to eat before you go.

Back at the inn

Eight adults-only rooms, each with a private bath and the lake out the window, and breakfast cooked to order for anyone staying the night. A heated pool and hot tub above the lake, weather permitting. Dinner is Chef Jeff Gable’s American menu with Italian and Irish roots, and the wine bar pours Irish whiskeys alongside the estate list. In winter and early spring, when the steelhead run is on, this coast is quiet and the rooms are easiest to get. Ask us about drying gear.

Ten minutes east

Geneva-on-the-Lake is Ohio’s oldest summer resort: a mile of arcades, custard and neon. Adventure Zone has go-karts, batting cages and an arcade at the top of The Strip. Geneva State Park Marina, (440) 466-7565, has boat rentals and more fishing. The Lakehouse Inn is the other lakefront winery on this stretch of shoreline.

1300 Belleair Ave, Madison, Ohio. Check availability for your dates, or call (440) 428-1300.